Roads in 'catastrophic state as lack of funding leads to rise in potholes

Motorists are facing “catastrophic” conditions on Britain’s roads because
councils are hopelessly trying to patch up potholes due to a lack of funds,
the Local Government Association has warned.

A survey by the AA found a third of drivers suffered pothole damage to their vehiclesPhoto: PA

By Duncan Gardham

6:00AM GMT 13 Feb 2013

Cllr Peter Box, chairman of the LGA transport board, said decades of under funding by central government and appalling weather conditions had left miles of road in a dangerous condition.

He warned that further extensive flooding or severe winters could have “catastrophic consequences” for the nation’s roads if councils were not given the necessary funding to upgrade their carriageways and escape “the false economy of chasing potholes.”

His comments came as a survey by the AA found a third of drivers suffered pothole damage to their vehicles.

Coun Box said: “Under funding by Whitehall, severe winters and last year’s widespread flooding has left large swathes of our roads in disrepair with many councils struggling to move beyond simply patching up a deteriorating network.”

Councils have tackled millions of potholes in the last two years to keep roads safe and passable and many councils are using new technology and extra funds to tackle the new batch of potholes.

But Coun Box said councils need “increased and consistent funding” to invest in resurfacing projects in order to see a long-term improvement.

The AA’s survey of 22,827 members found that drivers suffered worst from potholes in Scotland where 44 per cent said they had suffered damage to their vehicles such as damaged wheels, and tyre and steering alignment.

More than a third of drivers in northern England and the South-east had their car damaged.

Potholes form as water freezes and expands in cracks in the road surface. Passing traffic opens up the damaged road surface and rain washes out loose material, deepening it further, the AA warned.

Edmund King, president of the AA, said: “The fact that one third of our members have had their car damaged by potholes is a damning indictment of the state of our roads – they’re a national embarrassment.”